Movable earth-box.



No. 683,096. Patented Sept. 24, |90|.- S. ADSIT. v

(No Model.)

llNiTED STATES PATENT. ()FFICE.

SILAS ADSIT, OF JAMESTOWN, OHl'O.

M OVABLE EARTH- BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 683,096, dated September 24,1901. Application filed December 5, 1900. Serial No. 38,726. (No model.)

To rtZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, SILAs ADsIT, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of J amestown, Greene county, State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Movable Earth-Box; and I do hereby declare that the following is a description thereof sufficiently clear, full, and exact to enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, attention being called to the accompanying drawings, with thereferencenumerals marked thereon, which form also a part of this specification.

This invention relates to devices used in connection with excavating,'and particularly in cases where the ground lifted is to be replaced again.

Itis principally intended for use in cemeteries, where it is to receive the earth which is removed by the digging of a grave and which earth it is to hold until the interment is over anduntil the grave is to be filled again, at which time the device facilitates this operation.

I have called it a movable earth-box, and its obj ects,with the necessary corresponding functions whereby they are carried out and attained, are as follows: It receives the earth removed by digging a grave and prevents soiling of the adjacent ground-surfaces, sod, flowers on adjoining graves, &c. It permits convenient removal as a whole of the collected earth dug up, thus maintaining the ground around the grave clear and available while the funeral ceremonies proceed, keeping the removed earth also entirely out of sight during that time. It facilitates the refilling of the grave, since it permits the collected earth to be dumped and filled in at once and asawhole. Until replaced again the earth is kept dry in case of rain, because being inclosed, thereby preventing the objections which would otherwise result.

In the following specification, and particularly pointed out in the claims, is found a full description of the invention, together with its manner of use, parts, and construction, which latter is also illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1, in a vertical cross-section, shows the device in position. ready for use at the edge of a grave to be dug. Fig. 2, in an end view, shows the device in a similar position and used for filling the grave. Fig. 3 shows a front view of the device as it appearsin Fig. 1 with the door omitted. Fig. 4, in a similar View, shows condition of the device after use. Fig. 5 is an end View. Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-section of the device as it appears in Fig. 4, and Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional detail View.

The device consists principally of a barrel-' shaped or cylindrical box 10 of a capacity sufficient to receive the earth removed by digging a grave. Part of its side is open, but provided witha door 11, hingedly secured to permit closure, and at the beginning it is placed alongside the grave to be dug and with its opening toward the latter, as shown in Fig. 1. The earth as dug up is immediately and directly thrown into this box, the length of which is about coextensive with the length of the grave, so that the diggermay conveniently throw the earth into the box from whatever position he may occupywithin the grave while digging the same. After this work is completed the box is closed and as a whole, with the earth inclosed and resting now on its side and lengthwise of its periphery, it is rolled away to a convenient distance, leaving the surface around the grave free and clear of all earth,which latter cannot now be seen. After the .interment the device is rolled up again alongside the grave,as shown in Fig.2,dumped of its contents, and finally removed until required again. Any surplus earth which the grave doesnot receive is also removed at this time, remaining simply in the box, by which it is carried away. Figs. 1 and 3 show the positions of the device at the edge of the grave and while being filled. It is preferably steadied in position by stones or blocks of wood 12 placed under it. Fig. 2 shows it again in position at the edge of the grave and while being emptied of its contents, which latter are dumped into the grave. In all these positions and while being handled when loaded it may be preferable or necessary if the ground around the grave is not sufficiently stable to underlay planks 13 at the ends of the device and crossing the grave near the ends thereof, as shown in Fig. 2. it is carted away, resting then on wheels 14, as shown in Figs. at, 5, and 6. These wheels ICO After use have axles 15, preferably rigidly connected thereto, which occupy bearings 16 in the ends of the box. The wheels are removable and interchangeable as to position and may occupy other bearings 17, also in the ends of the box, but above the bearings first mentioned, or preferably in the center of the ends of the box, so that these wheels being of less diameter than the box this latter is then permitted to rest upon its side and lengthwise of its periphery, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. It thus remains more steady in position while being filled, and its weight after loaded is also more evenly supported by resting directly upon the ground than would be the case if resting loosely on the wheels. These latter are held in either one of their two positions by suitable locking or catch devices, which may be split keys 18. After the box is filled cover or door 11 is closed and held so by suitable locking devices, which maybe hooks 19, as shown. The loaded box, resting now on its side and lengthwise of its periphery, is now rolled away from the grave to any suitable place, which operation is facilitated by a lever in the shape of a bar 21, the end of which finds a purchase on one of the axles 15, having for such purpose an open notch 22 in its end, which notch fits over axles 15. Above such notch the bar is held by being inserted laterally into one of notches 23, of which there are a number around the end of the box. The bar is used in the manner of a capstan-lever, only in a different position, and is changed from one notch 23 into the other one next to it after the range of its movement in one position is exhausted, as may be readily understood. When empty after use and while being rolled away, bar 21 may serve as a tongue by which to pull or push the device, it being held in position for such purpose by having its notched end engage an internal projection 24 and by a block 25 on it which, bearing against the edge at the opening of the box, prevents tongue 21 from being pulled out. The bar is further held in this position by the lid, which is closed down upon it and looked, a portion of it near its edge being cut out, as shown at 26, to clear and admit the bar. After arrival at the place of storage lid 11 may be opened to permit disengagement of bar 21, which may be kept inside of the box.

The box needs to be coextensive only with the longest grave. For shorter ones, unless shorter boxes are used, the discharge-opening only is made coextensive, for which purpose the normal length of this opening is reduced by partly closing it up. This closing up may be done entirely at one end only, or at both, and is by interposing at such end or ends of the opening boards or sheet-iron shaped to the curve of the box and resting against the edges at the opening from the inside, or if sheetiron it may beheld in grooves at the edges of the opening, all as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

As to details of construction the inclosure of the box may be built in any suitable way. As shown, I prefer to use planks for the round sides placed edgewise against each other like barrel-staves, with the head between them at each end. The ends of these planks or staves project at the ends of the box, forming a chime thereat, which permits notches 23 to be formed in the manner shown-that is, by leaving certain staves sufficiently shorter. The connection is by nails, the staves being nailed to each other,as shown in the detail view Fig. 7. Hoops 27 are placed in addition around the outside.

Spilling of diggings onto the narrow margin of ground between the box and the edge of the grave nearest to it may be prevented by the interposition of a sheet 28 of canvas or oil-cloth, as shown in Fig. 1. The means (Wheels) for moving this earth-box away after use might be arranged in various ways without interfering with or changing the general objects and functions ofthis device.

Having described my invention, I claim as new 1. A movable earth-box for the purpose described, of cylindrical shape and of a length coextensive with a grave, a door in the side thereof and means to hold it closed, the same intended to receive and hold the diggings resulting from the excavation of a grave while resting on its side and lengthwise of its periphery alongside of the latter and adapted to be moved while so loaded and so resting on its round side to and from the grave and to be manipulated for the purpose of dumping its contents, such moving and manipulation of the device being by rolling the box while resting on its side and lengthwise of its periphery.

2. A movable earth-box adapted to receive and hold the diggings resulting from the ex cavation of a grave, the same being of cylindrical shape, an opening in the side thereof of a length coextensive with the grave on which the device is used, a door for this opening, means to hold it closed, a central projection at each end of the box and notches IIO circularly arranged around the same, per

mitting temporary attachment of an imple ment for the purpose of moving and manipulating the box while loaded and for dumping its contents, such moving and manipulation being by rolling the box while resting on its side and lengthwise of its periphery.

3. A movable earth-box adapted to receive and hold the diggings resulting from the excavation of a grave, the same being of cylindrical shape, an opening in the side thereof of a length coextensive with the grave on which the device is used, a door for this opening, means to hold it closed, a wheel at each end of the box of a diameter less than the diameter of this latter, axles for these Wheels and two bearings for these axles in each end of the box and which they may interchangeably occupy for the purpose of either sup porting the box on the wheels or for permitting the same to occupy a position in which it rests on its side and lengthwise of its periphery.

4. A movable earth-box adapted to receive and hold the diggings resulting from the excayation of a grave, the same being of cylindrical shape, an opening in the side thereof of a length coextensive with the grave on which the device is used, a door for this opening, means to hold it closed, a wheel at each end of the box, an axle for each, notches circularly arranged around such ends, and an implement for manipulating the box being adapted to be received by one of the notches mentioned and having a notch in its end adapted to engage the axle of one of the wheels.

5. A movable earth-box adapted to receive and hold the diggings resulting from the excavation of a grave, the same being of cylindrical shape, an opening in the side thereof of a length coextensive with the grave on which the device is used, a door for this open ing, means to hold it closed, a wheel at each end of the box, an axle for each, notches circularly arranged around such'ends, a projection 24 inside of the box and opposite the opening therein and an implement having a notch in its end and a lateral projection 25 and adapted to engage the box for manipulating the same in the various Ways, substan tially as indicated.

6. A movable earth-box adapted to receive and hold the diggings resulting from the excavation of a grave, the same being of cylindrical shape, an opening in the side thereof of a length coextensive with the grave on which the device is used, a door for this opening, means to hold it closed, a Wheel at each end of the box of a diameter less than the diameter of this latter, axles for these wheels, two bearings for these axles in each end of the box and which they may interchangeably occupy for the purpose of either supporting the box on the wheels or for permitting the same to occupy a position in which it rests on its side and lengthwise of its periphery, notches 23 arranged around each of its ends, a projection 24inside of the box and opposite the opening therein and an implement having a notch in its end and a lateral projection 25 and adapted to either engage one of the axles of the wheels and one of the notches 23 for the purpose of manipulating the box while loaded, or by engaging projection 24: and with its projection 25 in engagement with the edge at the opening, serving as a tongue for moving the box while empty, being held in this latter position by the closed door.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two Witnesses.

. SILAS ADSIT.

Witnesses:

M. G. MELRIGHT, H; K. LAIRD. 

